Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen ended a prolonged title drought on Sunday, defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in straight games to clinch the Australian Open 2025 men’s singles crown in Sydney. The Commonwealth Games champion produced a clinical performance to seal the match 21-15, 21-11 in just 38 minutes.
This victory marks Sen’s first title of the calendar year and his third BWF Super 500 triumph, adding to his previous wins at the India Open in 2022 and the Canada Open in 2023. He becomes only the second Indian male shuttler to win this tournament, following Kidambi Srikanth’s success in 2017.
The final began with Sen establishing an early 6-3 lead, pushing on unforced errors from his Japanese opponent. Although Tanaka managed to narrow the deficit to 12-13 with a few sharp net shots and smashes, Sen adjusted his strategy to deny Tanaka the length required for his attacking game.
Backed by a vocal Indian contingent at the arena, Sen shifted gears to open a four-point lead at 17-13 using crisp cross-court winners. He secured the opening game comfortably as Tanaka struggled with consistency, driving the shuttle into the net on game point.
Sen maintained high intensity in the second game, rendering the contest a one-sided affair. He dismantled Tanaka’s defense with fast, flat returns and excellent backline judgment, racing to an 8-4 lead that quickly swelled to 17-8.
Tanaka attempted to counter with his trademark whipping smashes but was undone by accuracy issues and erratic shot selection. Sen eventually earned 10 match points with a delicate shot near the net and, despite a minor error on the first opportunity, sealed the championship with a sharp cross-court return.
Upon winning, the 24-year-old gestured by blocking his ears with his index fingers, signaling his focus amidst external noise. Speaking after the match, Sen reflected on a challenging season marred by early injuries and a fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics.
"I have seen a lot of ups and downs this season, with a few injuries at the start. But I kept my hard work going throughout and I am very happy to end the season on a good note," Sen said. He noted that maintaining the lead in the second set without becoming complacent was key to his mental strategy during the final.
The victory concludes a demanding week for Sen, who had to battle through an 80-minute semifinal against Chou Tien Chen just a day prior. His team credited a revamped recovery protocol, including specialized equipment and disciplined physio sessions, for his physical durability during the tournament.
While the win came too late to qualify him for the season-ending World Tour Finals, it serves as a major morale booster as he wraps up the international swing.
